Motorcycles, sedans, SUVs, minivans, and large pick-up trucks fall within the first three classifications and are charged regular tolls. VDOT approved the classifications, said Nancy Smith, an I-66 Express Lanes spokeswoman. Interstate 66 Mobility Partners, a private group that constructed and managed the lanes, created eight classifications for the vehicles that use the lanes, determining how much more drivers of larger vehicles will pay. “I don’t remember signing a legal agreement that outlined the class system or having this information included in the fine print when I got my E-ZPass,” said Sowers. When Sowers called VDOT, he learned the automatic toll booths marked his vehicle a Class 5, which includes small commercial trucks, vans, buses, and small RVs, subject to three times the toll rates during peak rush hour travel times. Ultimately, E-ZPass refunded his money and referred him to VDOT to complain. He had an E-ZPass Flex transponder set to HOV mode and a passenger (his wife) in the car, which was supposed to qualify for a toll-free ride. Sowers quickly learned that any vehicle taller than seven feet, those pulling a trailer, or trucks with more than axles are charged higher tolls prohibited from using the lanes. The automated toll booths mistakenly took it for a small commercial vehicle and charged Sowers three times the regular toll rate. The only catch: the Sowers’ SUV had a luggage rack on top, making the vehicle over seven feet tall. They decided to use the new E-ZPass lanes when the first segment of the tolled lanes opened late last month, from Haymarket to Route 29 in Fairfax. Philip Sowers told Potomac Local News he and his wife commute in their Buick SUV to work at an office on Fairfax County Parkway. The fee would be regularly evaluated to ensure that the charge is generating just enough revenue to maintain and operate the program without generating excess revenues above expenses.I-66 E-ZPass Express Lanes at Haymarket A Warrenton man found $315 in unexpected charges on his credit card bill after riding the new E-ZPass Express Lanes on Interstate 66. The fee would also help control costs and manage the selection and demand for E-ZPass transponders. Customer service and the operations of three customer service centers.Account management and processing of toll transactions (managing billing of all transactions).Upgrading information technology to accommodate the expanded program.Providing service at select DMV locations.Implementing a retail program where transponders can be obtained at various stores in Northern Virginia and eventually Hampton Roads.Buying nearly one-half million transponders.The proposed monthly fee would cover costs for: The cost associated with the enhanced distribution and specialized services for the new facilities and additional transponders requires a new business model. The Virginia E-ZPass program is being expanded to support several new toll facilities scheduled or expected to be opened over the next few years. However, there is a cost to providing the service to the participating toll facilities, most of which are not operated by VDOT. E-ZPass allows for electronic toll collection at Virginia toll facilities and lessens the need for manual collection. VDOT has the utmost understanding that E-ZPass operations brings convenience and efficiency to toll operations. With Virginia’s E-ZPass program doubling over the next several years as new toll roads open, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is proposing a monthly fee of about $1 per transponder to pay for administrative and operations costs.
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